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Health Information Management

Strengthening data to protect and improve public health

Definition

Health Information Management (HIM) is the systematic collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data to support evidence-based decision-making across all levels of the health system—from individual patient care through to national policy and global health security. It unites the technical processes of information science with the ethical stewardship of personal and population data, ensuring that the right data reach the right people at the right time while maintaining privacy, quality and security.

Key Data Sources for Health Information Management

  • Routine health‑facility information systems (electronic medical records, DHIS2, etc.)
  • Population‑based surveys (DHS, MICS, SMART)
  • Laboratory information systems and genomic surveillance platforms
  • Event‑based and indicator‑based public‑health surveillance
  • Vital statistics & civil registration
  • Community‑based reporting networks (e.g., IDSR, EWARN)
  • Environmental and One Health data streams (vector, climate, animal health)

Health Information for Public Health Alert & Response

Timely, high‑quality information is the backbone of the WHO all‑hazards Emergency Framework, enabling rapid detection of events, risk assessment, response coordination and feedback to stakeholders.

DetectionVerificationRisk AssessmentResponseFeedback

Figure 1 – Real‑time information flow for the WHO alert‑and‑response cycle.

Core Data‑Quality Principles

The following principles synthesize guidance from WHO, CDC and the ECDC Handbook for data quality and evaluation of surveillance systems.

  1. 1Accuracy – values correctly describe the phenomena measured.
  2. 2Completeness – expected records, variables and time‑periods are present.
  3. 3Timeliness – data are available fast enough to inform action.
  4. 4Consistency – uniform definitions, formats and coding across units and over time.
  5. 5Validity – adherence to accepted definitions, case classifications and business rules.
  6. 6Integrity & Security – protection from unauthorized alteration, loss or misuse.
  7. 7Usability & Accessibility – data are organized and documented so users can find, understand and apply them.

Health Information Management in Humanitarian Settings

Disasters and conflicts demand agile, interoperable information systems that extend beyond the formal health sector to coordinate multi‑cluster responses through the WHO Health Emergencies Programme architecture.

AssessmentCollectionCollationAnalysisSharingDecision

Figure 2 – Continuous information cycle supporting rapid decision‑making in humanitarian crises.

References

  1. 1. World Health Organization. Alert and Response. Geneva; 2025. Available at: who.int/emergencies/alert-and-response.
  2. 2. World Health Organization. Data Quality Review: A toolkit for facility data quality assessment. Geneva; 2017.
  3. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public Health Surveillance: Data Management & Data Quality Standards. Atlanta; 2020.
  4. 4. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Handbook for Data Quality and Evaluation of Surveillance Systems. Stockholm; 2019.
  5. 5. Africa CDC. Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Technical Guidelines. Addis Ababa; 2023.
  6. 6. Gulf CDC. GCC Center for Disease Prevention and Control – Concept Note. Riyadh; 2024.